The Northern California Veterans Cemetery has not only passed its triennial review but actually been awarded the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) Veterans Cemetery Grant Service’s Excellence of Appearance Award.

“We are delighted that thanks to our staff’s hard work and dedication, the Northern California Veterans Cemetery not only passed its triennial inspection, but actually is one of the more beautiful state cemeteries for veterans to be laid to rest,” said Peter J. Gravett, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet).

In keeping with requirements from the USDVA’s Veterans Cemetery Grant Program, state cemeteries are required to pass a review every three years. Items reviewed include possible drainage problems, landscape, turf, gravesites, headstone alignment, and condition of structures. The Northern California Veterans Cemetery passed its triennial review with flying colors, according to the Triennial On-Site Review report.

The Northern California Veterans Cemetery not only counts on a very dedicated staff, but also on the commitment and support from the local community, according to Steve Jorgensen, Cemetery Administrator. Although facility workload has expanded to a point that demands that the staff constantly stretch beyond National Cemetery Administration workload standards to be successful, the cemetery can always count on community volunteers and donations to pick up the slack when necessary. This truly is a successful private-public partnership.

The Northern California Veterans Cemetery is the first independently located state-owned and operated veterans cemetery in the Golden State. The cemetery serves the veteran population in 18 Northern California counties and the currently developed area of the cemetery provides sufficient burial space for more than 30 years. Beyond that, the cemetery has the capacity for expansion. Any eligible veteran, along with spouses and eligible dependents, may be interred at the cemetery.